A nutrition success story, part one – but where to go from here? - Page 2

[Tigerle]

Coconut water has loosened stools for me. You may want to try it.


Also, magnesium helps constipation. Raspberry leaf tea has magnesium. Traditional Medicinals has a nice raspberry leaf tea.

Magnesium also aids blood sugar stabilization. Maybe you can add the tea to soups and sauces.


Parsley can also be added to soups and sauces to provide calcium.

here we go...

Won't eat soups. Won't eat sauces.

Won't drink anything but water and milk.

I asked a pharmacist who is a vague friend to help me find a vitamin and mineral supplement I could hide - one without sweeteners that change the taste of her fruit puree. No granulate from a capsule that feels crunchy in yoghurt. tried it out, she's noticed them all and refused to eat the spiked food! No juice, won't drink it. No syrup, won't take it. No gummies, won't eat them. No, no chewing tablets in little car shapes...after a while, people get really annoyed, as if I am having them on or annoying them on purpose! I can't help it either!

On the other hand, yesterday, we had fresh salmon, sauteed in lemon butter, brown rice and sauteed kohlrabi (DS1) resp. the organic veggie puree from a jar (DD) that DD will eat daily now that we have started insisting (with a teaspoonful of fish oil and a probiotic hidden in the puree). Both kids pronounced that they liked the brown rice (I thought it was somewhat burned, myself, but it was my first try, looking forward to getting it right). DS1 even said "it's a bit like popcorn!" Go figure. And tonight, DD had a full apple slice (1/16th of a small apple), without fuss! And the daycare teacher announced proudl that she had one taste of couscous with carrot pieces and something-else pieces and swallowed it down.

At this pace, we may have her eat a full compliment of veggies by the time she leaves for college.

If only I could get rid of the laxative soon. I have thought abeout magnesium too, it works so well for me (digestion, back pain, relaxation) and DS1 (calming). But the only way of getting magnesium into her that I can think of would be dark chocolate...
 

[pek64]

Raspberry "soda"? Make raspberry tea and let it cool. Put it in a glass and add carbonated water.

With all the rest, I'm guessing it'll be rejected.

If you have a pizzelle maker and the time, you can make pizzelles. Real anise has iron, I believe. It is reputed to induce a stronger appetite. Whatever milk you use for the pizzelles, heat and add the raspberry teabag. The anise should help cover the raspberry taste.

Also, add a raspberry leaf teabag to the pan you make the grains in. It will be absorbed by the grains. You can add some soup broth, for a variety of nutrients.

I remember others being annoyed by my son's refusals to eat certain things. No vitamins, either. No milks or cereals with them added. It is a challenge! I can tell you this -- he survived, grew up, expanded his tastes, and is rarely sick. So have hope. You are dealing with a child who is very attuned to her body. That will be a good thing, in the long run. It means no short cuts, however.

[meemee]

hmmmmm.....

i am wondering if your dd has sensitivity to some types of sugar. 

fruit and honey have the same type of sugar - fructose. here is an interesting article i found http://www.livestrong.com/article/190664-fructose-allergy-symptoms/

table sugar is sucrose which she enjoys - they come from either sugar beets or sugar cane. 

starch is strings of glucose which she really guns for it seems. yet glucose is a combination of sucrose table sugar that she loves and fructose - fruit sugars that she hates. ???????? dont know much about this. just so you know. i am learning here myself. 

http://www.giforkids.com/?a=Nutrition&b=Fructose%20Free%20Diet

dd i think has something with fructose. she goes crazy if she eats too much fruit (even as a baby she has never liked too much fruit) or sugar - candy or icecream. 

we are trying dextrose - which is HFCS and other forms too http://www.giforkids.com/?a=Nutrition&b=Fructose%20Free%20Diet

and sorbitol - sugar alcohol. 

i did a quick search and didnt find any kind of zinc supplements you could use. how about this http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/zinc.php 

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/4-zinc-rich-foods-for-healthy-living.html#b

http://www.babycenter.com/0_zinc-in-your-childs-diet_10324698.bc

the only reason i suggested zinc is because i read a picky eaters book where the author found zinc helped as a lower amount of it affects the taste of food. which necessarily might not be the case of your dd if she is eating any of the zinc rich foods. 

and here is a trick with precocious children. treat their emotions as age appropriate stuff, but treat their intellectual as an older child. dd did really well with explanations. has always even as a baby done well with explanations. dd learnt regulating early on. mainly coz i asked her to make the decision after i gave the explanation. during the trial and error method i had to grit my teeth, she had to do it over a few times because she was not ready to give up - but then she made a decision. that was HUGE. she did it around 3. after we'd had a conversation about somedays she wants a LOT of dessert, somedays a little and somedays none. and i realized i was holding her to - if i give in now she will be spoilt for the rest of her life. so. not. true. 

so as a mother i provided her with the knowledge - and left her to make the decision - even if they seem too young. i dont think we really know what too young is in many cases - esp. precocious children. 

today at 10 dd makes amazing choices - even though she suffers through the process - that i think is just amazing for her age. she eats with her brain and not with her senses (which even i fail at so she is helping me). though of course sometimes she does give in. 

dd in one sense IS grateful that her sensitivities and allergies keep her away from so much junk food that she is grateful for. 

[pek64]

I tried to read the fitday article, but it was blank. The ads around it were there, along with the comments at the bottom of the page, but no article. Can you tell us the zinc rich foods?

[meemee]

ok here is the article. i liked how it grouped the food and explained. what i got is that if your dd is a meateater then you dont really have to worry about zinc. 

Eating a diet rich in zinc foods is a necessary part of maintaining your dietary health. Zinc contributes to many aspects of your general health. It contributes to quality of eyesight, taste, smell, hair and skin. It is also linked to the production of testosterone in men and the lessening of PMS symptoms in women. It even boosts the health of pre-natal babies as a necessary component of healthy birth weight.

But, perhaps the most widely known benefits of proper zinc intake is a fortified immune system. Zinc aids in the building of 100 different enzymes, and helps protect the body against sickness and decay. Here are 4 natural food sources that add zinc to your diet.

1. Meats

If you are a meat-eater, you are probably already getting a reasonable amount of zinc in your diet. The meats that transfer the highest concentration of zinc include beef, beef, lamb, pork and salmon. Chicken and turkey are also good sources, particularly the dark meat. Remember to consider portion control when eating meats that also have high levels of cholesterol and fat.

2. Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, cashews and sunflower seeds are viable vegetarian options for keeping your zinc levels at a healthy high. Even more so, pumpkin seeds have one of the highest concentrations of zinc available in a non-meat food.  All these foods have less fat and cholesterol than many meats. You may need to eat more to abtain equal benefits of animal-based zinc. You may also want to consider taking zinc supplements if your diet is primarily vegetarian.

3. Cereals

Fortified ready-to-eat cereals are an excellent source of zinc. Bran, multi-grain and whole grain cereals especially offer high doses of zinc.  Although cereals are a good source, they contain also often phytates, which binds with the zinc in cereals and inhibit absorption.  Keep this in mind and don’t count on your breakfast cereal being your only source of daily zinc. Also, don’t choose cereals with sugar levels high enough to negate the health benefits of eating zinc.

4. Shellfish

Shellfish such as crab, lobster, clams and mussels are some of the most powerful natural sources of zinc a person can eat. Six oysters can provide as much as 76 milligrams of zinc at once, nearly seven times the recommended daily allowance. For many, shellfish is not always the easiest food to consume regularly. This might be a good thing. Too much zinc can result in impaired immunity and difficulties with the metabolizing other necessary minerals. Still, an occasional indulgence is a perfectly safe way to boost your zinc intake.

When you hear it said that your body needs vitamins and minerals, one of the most vital minerals is zinc. Zinc is easy to consume in red meats and poultry, but a little more difficult to come by in a vegetarian diet. Whatever source you get you zinc from, make sure you consume enough to keep your body functioning and your immune system strong.

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/4-zinc-rich-foods-for-healthy-living.html#b

[Tigerle]

hah! went to a big drugstore and scanned the whole supplement section (that took some time...) Found a supplement of zinc with magnesium and lecithin that just might be innocuous enough to go undetected in a fruit puree or yoghurt.

I read that part about zinc disturbing taste for kids too, in "what's eating your child". She does eat meet, but maybe not enough or not the healthiest types. Also, DS1 clearly did so much better with zinc and magnesium supplements there is maybe something going on there in the whole family.

WIth DS1, the explaining works VERY well. So far, the rational brain hasn't set in for DD. 

I will check out the articles on fructose intolerance, thanks.

[pek64]

Any rashes? Especially from snaps or other metal touching her skin?

[Tigerle]

Hmm...no rashes that I can think of. I am allergic to nickel myself, so while I can't say that I've been paying positive attention to it, it's at them back of my mind with snaps in underwear.

She used to get eczema from the cold, - still does of I do not smother her cheeks with almond oil cream. As a baby, she once had her cheeks inflamed so bad around Christmas we had to see a dermatologist (who was on his way to his skiing vacation but knew my parents) who prescribed a steroid cream.

[pek64]

Zinc oxide?

[Tigerle]

Originally Posted by pek64 

Zinc oxide?

Huh?

[countryangels]

Originally Posted by kaimarb 

We raise alot of our own food and cook mostly from scratch but I have not ventured into the gluten thing yet. I have been researching grain millls because I would like to receive the nutritional benefits from certain flours. Do you think that might make the differnece regarding gluten as opposed to just eating "dead" grains that have been pre-milled and processed? Also, as far as oatmeal goes, it is so bloating just to cook the oats without soaking. My son was having terrible constipation issues and I finally figured out that it was the oatmeal. We have read that back in the day they soaked oatmeal in milk for 7+ hours to release the nutrients in the oats before cooking.I have been making a conscious effort to do that.

The Raw Milk Revolution compares different types of milks to breast milk. Raw milk is the closest to breast milk in nutrients and is considered the perfect food. It suggests that because pasteurization kills the good bacteria, that there is no equal balance for the bad bacteria, hence alot of allergic reactions. We have been drinking raw milk for several years and I have not had to take my son to the doctor since he was born.

As far as sugar goes, do you guys eat alot of honey? Maybe a spoonful of raw local honey will satisfy her needs. You could also buy some extra dark organic chocalate for her or make your own trail mix with dark chocalate chips, nuts, raisins or whatever else they like.I had a desert once that was just peanut or almond butter mixed with nuts and carob chips, put in the freezer and then cut into squares like brownies with no added sugars. Those all might be some options for you.

It is so weird how certain foods affect some but others can go on eating garbage with little issues. I have learned though that when my kids talk about the bad kids at school, there is usually a sugar filled lunch unfolded in the story. My kids have never had issues with food so it is hard for me to tell what might be good or bad for them. I know you must be exhausted from the constant planning of meals and snacks. It is great that you have seen progress.Your kids are lucky to have a mom that pursues their needs.

Thanks.

[countryangels]

Originally Posted by meemee 

ok here is the article. i liked how it grouped the food and explained. what i got is that if your dd is a meateater then you dont really have to worry about zinc. 

Eating a diet rich in zinc foods is a necessary part of maintaining your dietary health. Zinc contributes to many aspects of your general health. It contributes to quality of eyesight, taste, smell, hair and skin. It is also linked to the production of testosterone in men and the lessening of PMS symptoms in women. It even boosts the health of pre-natal babies as a necessary component of healthy birth weight.

But, perhaps the most widely known benefits of proper zinc intake is a fortified immune system. Zinc aids in the building of 100 different enzymes, and helps protect the body against sickness and decay. Here are 4 natural food sources that add zinc to your diet.

1. Meats

If you are a meat-eater, you are probably already getting a reasonable amount of zinc in your diet. The meats that transfer the highest concentration of zinc include beef, beef, lamb, pork and salmon. Chicken and turkey are also good sources, particularly the dark meat. Remember to consider portion control when eating meats that also have high levels of cholesterol and fat.

2. Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, cashews and sunflower seeds are viable vegetarian options for keeping your zinc levels at a healthy high. Even more so, pumpkin seeds have one of the highest concentrations of zinc available in a non-meat food.  All these foods have less fat and cholesterol than many meats. You may need to eat more to abtain equal benefits of animal-based zinc. You may also want to consider taking zinc supplements if your diet is primarily vegetarian.

3. Cereals

Fortified ready-to-eat cereals are an excellent source of zinc. Bran, multi-grain and whole grain cereals especially offer high doses of zinc.  Although cereals are a good source, they contain also often phytates, which binds with the zinc in cereals and inhibit absorption.  Keep this in mind and don’t count on your breakfast cereal being your only source of daily zinc. Also, don’t choose cereals with sugar levels high enough to negate the health benefits of eating zinc.

4. Shellfish

Shellfish such as crab, lobster, clams and mussels are some of the most powerful natural sources of zinc a person can eat. Six oysters can provide as much as 76 milligrams of zinc at once, nearly seven times the recommended daily allowance. For many, shellfish is not always the easiest food to consume regularly. This might be a good thing. Too much zinc can result in impaired immunity and difficulties with the metabolizing other necessary minerals. Still, an occasional indulgence is a perfectly safe way to boost your zinc intake.

When you hear it said that your body needs vitamins and minerals, one of the most vital minerals is zinc. Zinc is easy to consume in red meats and poultry, but a little more difficult to come by in a vegetarian diet. Whatever source you get you zinc from, make sure you consume enough to keep your body functioning and your immune system strong.

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/4-zinc-rich-foods-for-healthy-living.html#b

Great article, link, thanks.